What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
differentiation
Example
The differentiation between the two species was difficult to discern. [differentiation: noun]
Example
The company's product differentiation strategy helped it stand out in the market. [differentiation: noun]
variation
Example
There was a wide variation in the test scores among the students. [variation: noun]
Example
The chef experimented with different variations of the recipe to find the perfect one. [variations: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Variation is more commonly used than differentiation in everyday language. Variation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while differentiation is less common and often used in academic or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between differentiation and variation?
Differentiation is typically associated with a formal or technical tone, while variation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.